2025 Literacy Volunteers of Pascack Valley 
International Dinner

In June, LVPV hosted our annual International Dinner to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, tutors and program managers this year. It was wonderful to gather with everyone and celebrate together. We want to extend an extra congratulations to the recipients of the Students and Tutors of the Year Awards, featured in the photos below. 
​For the full album of photos from the 2025 International Dinner, click here. 
2024 LVPV INTERNATIONAL DINNER PHOTOS (CLICK HERE)
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A sample of some of our Zoom Tutor Training Workshops during 2020-2024 .
Thank you to all of our newly trained volunteers. 


​April 9, 2019 Citizenship Ceremony

It is with great pride that Westwood Library hosted its 2nd Citizenship Ceremony with USCIS on April 9th.  Twenty Bergen County residents from 12 countries were sworn in as US Citizens during the ceremony after fulfilling the requirements set forth in the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965.   The ceremony commenced with the Presentation of Colors by the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, followed by Westwood Regional High school student, Taylor Andresen, singing the National Anthem.  Rashida Tewarson, LVPV ESL tutor and naturalized citizen, presented the keynote speech.  Rashida reflected on  her experience coming to the United States and  integrating into the community.   Rashida spoke of her experience as an ESL volunteer tutor, teaching not only the English language but American culture to help newcomers feel connected to the community.  She spoke of the duty of new citizens to participate in civic life, including the responsibility to elect local, state and national representatives and serve on a jury.   Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi spoke of her ancestors' move from Italy and opportunities she received as a result. Additional remarks were provided by Bergen County Freeholders Mary Amoroso and Germaine Ortiz.  Mayor John Birkner provided closing remarks, and acknowledged that Americans are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants and stressed that Westwood is an inclusive and open community.  Westwood Library Director, Martha Urbiel was honored to host  the ceremony at the library, a public space open to all.


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​2019 Outstanding Affiliate Achievement Award from Literacy NJ,
​ Presented April 27, 2019 at Literacy for Life Conference

Literacy Volunteers of Pascack Valley is the proud recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Affiliate Achievement Award presented by Literacy NJ.  The Award for Outstanding Affiliate was presented at the statewide Literacy For Life Conference at The College of New Jersey.  This award honors one literacy program in New Jersey that has demonstrated excellence throughout the year.  This year, LVPV was recognized for creating more awareness of its program by producing videos of tutors and students for use during tutor training workshops and on social media.   Several LVPV tutors were honored at the conference for their decades of service.  LVPV has also increased awareness by joining  Westwood Library to host Naturalization Ceremonies. ​

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On Tuesday, April 17th, Westwood Library was the proud host of the Naturalization Ceremony with USCIS.   Seventeen  Pascack Valley candidates from 11 countries were sworn in as US Citizens during the ceremony after fulfilling the requirements set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.   The ceremony commenced with the Presentation of Colors by the  Bergen County Sheriff's Office, followed by Natalie Pira, Westwood  high school student, singing the "Star Spangled Banner".  Rashida Tewarson, LVPV ESL tutor and naturalized citizen, presented the keynote speach.  Rashida  reflected on  her experience coming to the United States and  integrating into the community.   Rashida spoke of her ESL volunteer experience and her responsibility to teach not only the English language but the nuances of American life and culture to help newcomers feel connected to the community.  She spoke of the duty of the new citizens to participate in civic life.   Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi spoke of her ancestors journey from Italy and opportunities she received as a result.  Mayor John Birkner addressed the new citizens urging them to participate in public life and stressed that Westwood is an inclusive and open community.  Westwood Library Director, Martha Urbiel found it very fitting to have the ceremony at the library, stressing that the doors are open to all members of the community.  Enjoy the photos  and news article.